Communications

This letter constitutes a request under the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), 5 U.S.C. § 552, and is submitted on behalf of journalist Alexa O’Brien.

I seek any and all documents in the Council on Environmental Quality’s possession that pertain to the WikiLeaks website or organization from January 2006 to the present date.

I am a “representative of the news media” for fee waiver purposes. See Project on Military Procurement v. Department of the Navy, 710 F. Supp. 362, 363, 365 (D.C.D. 1989). My work has been published in The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, Guardian UK, Salon, and featured by PBS Frontline, On The Media and Public Radio International. Based on my status as a “news media” requester, I am entitled to receive the requested record with only duplication fees asserted. Further, because disclosure of this information will “contribute greatly to the public understanding of the operation or activities of the government,” duplication fees should be waived.

There is a compelling need for the requested documents such that expedited processing is appropriate. I am engaged in disseminating information. There exists an urgent need to inform the public concerning actual or alleged Federal Government activity. As 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(E)(ii)(I) provides, I will anticipate your determination on our request within ten (10) calendar days.

I requests that in the event that access to any of the requested records is denied pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 552(b), I be provided with all non-exempt portions which are reasonably segregable. I further request that you describe the deleted material in detail and specify the statutory basis for the denial as well as your reasons for believing that the alleged statutory justification applies in this instance. Please separately state your reasons for not invoking your discretionary powers to release the requested documents. Such statements will be helpful in deciding whether to appeal an adverse determination, and in formulating arguments in case an appeal is taken. I reserve my right to appeal the withholding or deletion of any information and expect that you will list the office and address were such an appeal can be sent.

I requests that documents responsive to this request be provided to me in electronic format on a CD-ROM.

I write to confirm the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) receipt of your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for records concerning Wikileaks between the dates of January 2006 to November 27, 2013. We look forward to helping you access the information that is of interest to you, if it exists. In future inquiries regarding this request, please contact me, CEQ's FOIA Public Liaison, and reference the tracking number FY2014-08.

Additionally, you have requested a fee waiver. Your fee waiver request has been considered and granted.

I write in reference to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) number FY2014-08. In your request, you asked for expedited processing. Based on the information you provided as the basis for expedited processing, your request for expedited processing has been denied. If you are dissatisfied with CEQ's action on expedited processing, you may appeal the decision pursuant to CEQ's FOIA Regulation 40 C.F.R. 1515.7(d), which can be accessed on our website http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/foia/regulations.